Mediterranean house

The Mediterranean House is mainly home to evergreen hard-leaved trees and shrubs from regions of the world with a Mediterranean "Etesia" climate. This Mediterranean climate, which is also known as a winter rain climate, is characterised by dry, hot summers and rainy, mild, practically frost-free winters. Such a climate can be found not only around the European Mediterranean, through the Near East to the Persian Gulf, but in five regions of the world. All of these regions lie between 30° and 40° north and south latitude (see map).

The leaves of woody plants are usually small or needle-shaped, often hairy. They feel hard and leathery (hard-leaved plants). These properties reduce water loss, protect against animal damage and increase the longevity of the leaves.